São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas Cancels Roda Viva Appearance

São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas has canceled his participation in the TV Cultura program Roda Viva, which was scheduled for Monday, August 24. The station cited an "incompatibility of agenda" for the cancellation.

Fernando Haddad, Freitas's opponent in the race for governor, is still scheduled to appear on the program on August 31. In place of the interview with Freitas, which was set for 10 p.m., Roda Viva will broadcast an interview with actor Miguel Falabella.

Freitas is currently leading in the polls for the São Paulo gubernatorial election. According to the latest Datafolha survey released on Friday, August 21, Freitas has 45% of voter intentions in a first-round scenario, ahead of Haddad's 27%. In a potential second round, Freitas would win against Haddad 54% to 35%. The poll indicates Freitas could win in the first round if he secures more than 52% of valid votes.

This is not the first time Freitas has canceled an appearance on Roda Viva. In 2022, during his previous campaign for governor, he withdrew from a special edition of the program that was to feature a debate with Haddad before the second round. At the time, TV Cultura stated that the decision limited voters' ability to learn about the candidates' proposals. The station aired a program featuring only Haddad, who was also leading in polls then.